Four mothers fight for their sons as the Wars of the Roses rage

Preorder now for delivery on 12th June

JULY 24 TIMES BOOK OF THE MONTH

From the critically acclaimed author of CECILY comes an intimate and gripping novel perfect for fans of Hilary Mantel, Madeline Miller and Maggie O’Farrell.

'A triumph' The Times'Electrifying' Daily Mail'History at its most powerful' Jennifer Saint

1461. Through blood and battle Edward has gained England’s throne – king by right and conquest – eighteen years old and unstoppable.

Cecily has piloted his rise to power and stands at his shoulder now, first to claim the title King’s Mother. But to win a throne is not to keep it and war is come again. As brother betrays brother, and trusted cousins turn treacherous, other mothers rise up to fight for other sons.

Cecily must focus her will to defeat every challenge. Wherever they come from. Whatever the cost.

For there can be only one King, and only one King’s Mother. From the Wars of the Roses to the dawn of the Tudor age, this is a story of mothers and sons; of maternal ferocity and female ambition - of all they can build and all they can destroy.

PRAISE FOR ANNIE GARTHWAITE:'Elegant and propulsive . . . I had to fight myself to put it down' A.K. Blakemore'Family dynamics at their most fierce - timeless and brilliant!' Kate Sawyer'Has the new Hilary Mantel arrived?' Sunday Telegraph'A vividly female perspective on the Wars of the Roses' Imogen Hermes Gowar

Format:Paperback / softback 400 pages

Publisher:Penguin Books Ltd

Imprint:Penguin Books Ltd

ISBN:9780241998687

Published:12 Jun 2025

Classifications:Modern & contemporary fiction (post c 1945), Historical fiction, Fiction: special features, Social discrimination & inequality